By BRAD WONG, P-I REPORTER

Published 10:00 pm, Saturday, November 17, 2007

A city proposal to allow private groups the use of buildings at Warren G. Magnuson Park was criticized by community members at a public meeting Saturday, despite assurances from officials that the organizations would improve the park.

"The citizens of Seattle, who own the park, would have to pay to use their own park," said Jeanette Williams, a former Seattle City Councilwoman, who attended the open house.

But city officials said that participation from private groups would help the city save money.

"It's private dollars coming in to invest in public facilities for public programs," said Eric Friedli, a Seattle Parks and Recreation director.

If the city had to find about $20 million for park improvements, officials might have to use money from other projects, he said.

Saturday, about 75 people attended the open house sponsored by the city's Parks and Recreation Department held at the North Seattle park, and many questioned not only whether privatization was desirable, but also whether the proposed plan is a closed deal.

"I'm very concerned because it sounds like it's a done deal," said Peggy Printz, president of Friends of Magnuson Park.

There are two more open houses scheduled this month, on Nov. 19 and Nov. 27, and Friedli said the City Council has the final say on all proposals.

"It's not a done deal until the City Council says so," he said.

City officials want to make the former Navy base a "great urban park," Friedli said, that will give users a range of activities.

There are proposals for the park's Building 27, a former hangar, to be used as an indoor recreational facility operated by Arena Sports, and Building 11 to house boating activities, he said.

Also under consideration is a Civic Light Opera plan to renovate and manage a 500-seat theater; an idea for the Cascade Bicycle Club to use Building 18 as a regional bicycling center for classes and repairs; and the development of a tennis center and artist studios.

Some proposals call for restaurants, including Kidd Valley, Ivar's and a cafe, to set up in park buildings. But Friedli said they would primarily serve park users and would not be large destination restaurants.

The city received the proposals after placing advertisements. The private groups would invest about $20 million in improvements, Friedli said, and the city would contribute $2.7 million for the artist studios.

Many of those at the meeting worried about the effect the private groups would have on the park, particularly the potential for fees to use some of the new facilities.

Friedli acknowledged that private groups that charge fees would keep that money, especially since private investment is involved. That model is already in place with some Building 27 users, he said. Private groups use the building and keep dollars from admission and sales.

Residents also wanted to see more balance in the plans. Williams said she would like to see the park have an education center for students. And others pointed out that Building 27 has been used for craft shows, a roller derby and Pow Wows, all operated under city management.

Printz said less commercialization and more balance would be good, something that would offer recreational use and environmental sensitivity.

Elizabeth Nelson, a coordinator for seattlepools.org, said there are already too few swimming pools in the city.

"An outdoor pool at Magnuson would be a tremendous resource for healthy kids, healthy families and healthy communities," she said.

The City Council will consider each proposal separately early next year, possibly in February, Friedli said.

To those critics who want to begin the entire planning process again, he said city parks officials want to complete the current process before starting a new one.

Williams said if public dissatisfaction with the plan continues, citizens could take action by using the courts or the initiative process.

And Printz added that officials should be receptive to reopening the proposal process.